REACH365 - Our Implementation Strategy and Expertise

 

The Ethos Solution REACh compliance strategy allows every type of organisation to start from the beginning in a practical and affordable process. Our solutions and services bridge the gap between REACh consultant, health & safety and business continuity.

 

The REACH365 Phased Implementation


  • Phase 1a - Identifying Products and Direct Material Purchases (a typical Phase 1 costing)
  • We need to understand what substances your company uses and also what substances are in the products you purchase directly from suppliers. It is necessary to build a comprehensive inventory of these products and direct material purchases for your company. It is very important that we understand how each of your suppliers intends to comply with REACh if we are to produce a credible risk analysis. Whether you need to start from the beginning or you have databases that we can work with, we populate our REACH365 online application which will allow you to easily view every stage or our data gathering phase. REACH365 will allow you to structure your business by location within a dynamic organisation tool so that you can start allocating your products and direct material purchases i.e. hazardous chemicals, substances and products. Once this activity is completed, you can get back with your daily responsibilities and we can get underway with analysing your supply chain.
  • Phase 1b - Safety Data Sheet Acquisition and Initial Supplier REACh Evaluation
  • The data collection phase involves the acquistion by Ethos Solution of all your Safety Data Sheets for the products you purchase and substances you use. We use our MSDS365 online application to monitor and inform you of our progress. One of the real advantages in using our MSDS365 application is that we will not only evaluate which suppliers and manufacturers present a risk to your business but that we will provide you with a comprehensive Safety Data Sheet portfolio online that is constantly updated for your company - this is a real time and money saver. At the same time as we request your Safety Data Sheets we inform your suppliers of their responsibilities towards REACh. We collect supplier responses through an online form, email, fax or letter to speed up response times and accessibility. In this stage we contact your direct suppliers so that we can complete an initial examination of the immediate business risks before further analysis down the supply chain for the suppliers of your suppliers. Our REACh evaluation involves basic questions about products and substances that are supplied but the volume of information that is required needs a management system to capture and report your data effectively, such as REACH365. Imagine that you purchase a washer from your supplier, your supplier may have several suppliers for the substances they use in the manufacturing process and in or on the product they produce. In turn those suppliers may have even more suppliers and the supply chain grows exponentially. Capturing this data and monitoring delivery of REACh information would seem an almost impossible challenge without using a system like REACH365 and our MSDS365 administration service.
  • Phase 1c - Supply Chain Networking and Continuous REACh Evaluation
  • Once an initial examination of your direct supply chain is completed we can begin the process of examining further into the supply chain. This examination involves identifying the suppliers of your direct suppliers and requesting both Safety Data Sheets and REACh information for the substances they use in the production of and inside the materials they supply. This sub examination is an efficient way of measuring the risk present within your supply chain for specific materials and will be critical in suggesting which materials may require substitution or at least promote the suppliers that you may need to be more involved with during the REACh pre-registration phase. Where reason for concern is suggested we will continue further into the supply chain to reach a credible conclusion for all your materials. None of the work we do during this process requires you to do anything, our methodology allows us to work autonomously once you have identified your direct material suppliers.
  • Phase 1d - Business Scoping Audit and REACh Risk Analysis with Recommendations (Phase 1)
  • During the process of the supply chain examination it is necessary for our REACh consultants to work with you to understand your business and to hold discussions with representatives of your company. In this process we can identify the key materials that are supplied to your business which will be focused on as a priority during phase two of our REACh implementation strategy. The amount of time and whether site visits and advisory sessions are required is dependent on the size and complexity of your business. When our examination of your supply chain is finished and the REACh scoping audit is complete we will be able to deliver our initial REACh risk report with recommendations. These are practical recommendations which cover cost expectations, substitution alerts and explanations of the primary risks concerning REACh and your business. This report highlights key areas of concern within the supply chain and allows for a clear communication to your business representatives on where you are with regards to REACh and how to take action for the future success of your company once REACh is in force.
  • Phase 2a - Substitution Strategy and Purchasing Plan
  • Phase two of our REACh compliance strategy is our proactive approach in reducing the identified risks from our initial REACh risk report. We offer our services in understanding your manufacturing process so that we can piece together a substitution strategy covering each priority material of concern within the supply chain. Our consultants will look for suppliers that can match your price expectations, meet or exceed technological requirements and potentially provide greener alternatives, this often involves finding suppliers local, reducing the carbon footprint of your company and increasing the sustainability of your local economy. These are all fantastic articles to report in your Corporate Social Responsibility (Good Corporate Citizenship) report. This phase can be started with or without our consultation but when new materials or suppliers have been identified we must go back through the phase one process to reassess the new risks to your supply and your proposed suppliers concerning REACh. This process must continue until we have eliminated the risks to the priority material supply of your business. Once the final material supply list is ready we will work with your purchasing department to produce a low risk REACh ready purchasing plan.
  • Phase 2b - Final REACh Impact Analysis, Pre-registration Recommendations and SIEF Representation
  • For downstream users of chemicals and substances that do not manufacture or import their materials we can conclude our REACh compliance strategy with our final REACh impact analysis report. This report provides a risk assessment of your purchasing plan and the substances you use. We deliver recommendations on how to manage your chemical risk assessments (CoSHH) and provide you with the necessary tools to do so through COSHH365 if you do not have a management tool available. Moving forward we will constantly keep your Safety Data Sheets library up-to-date by communicating with your suppliers and manufacturers through your online portfolio in MSDS365. Your subscription to REACH365 means that we will keep you alerted to new REACh developments as the registration process progresses and alert you to any changes to your risk of supply. Where recommendations conclude that involvement with pre-registration of substances is required we will explain the process of pre-registration and assist you with your submissions. We will also advise on the implications of SIEF (Substance Information Exchange Forum) membership and how to manage your inclusion. If it should become necessary we can act on your behalf as your representative in a SIEF.
  • Phase 3 - REACh Registration Dossier Preparation
  • REACh registration is a complex and important aspect of being able to continue trading particular substances and products within the EU. Our approved partners are familiar with the preparation of REACh registration dossiers and can confidently assure they contain all the necessary information to the standard required by the European Chemicals Agency and Member State Competent Authorities. We will provide a clear understanding of which substances must be Registered and which are exempt and give clarity on the required timescale for submission of the dossiers. Our partners have extensive expertise on hazard, exposure and risk assessment of chemicals. The associated cost of service depends on the number of substances, amount of data gathering available and required and the level of representation your require.
  • Phase 4 - Ongoing Support, Safety Data Sheet Authoring and Distribution
  • After and during registration it is important that we keep you in touch with REACh as it progresses. We will alert you to substances that will be no longer be available for supply within the EU and monitor these with your substance and materials portfolio through REACH365. Our ongoing support is essential in keeping you vigilant to the problems your suppliers and your own company may have to face. We offer additional services such as Safety Data Sheet authoring, distribution of your Safety Data Sheets and REACh information to your customers and distributors through MSDS365 and also an online CoSHH risk assessment application/service with COSHH365. We alone can take care of every aspect of REACH compliance and then provide you the online management tools to implement health and safety compliance solutions thereafter.

 

Click on the image below to view our product strategy diagram

 

REACh Compliance Implentation Strategy